70th Birthday of Sam Maynes

70TH BIRTHDAY OF SAM MAYNES

Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Sam Maynes of Durango, CO, on his 70th birthday, although it would be more appropriate to congratulate those with the good fortune to have had Sam for an advocate or friend over the years. I have been lucky enough to count him as both.

While others have lived as many years, very few have achieved a legacy as significant and lasting as his will prove to be. The Southern Ute Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and all of southwestern Colorado will be enjoying the fruits of Sam's hard work long after the struggles and acrimony he endured these past decades have been forgotten. Those who time and again pronounced Animas-La Plata a lost cause obviously didn't know the stuff Sam was made of. I knew-and I knew that so long as there was any chance at all, he would keep fighting. Sam has a warrior's heart, and it was an honor to do battle alongside him.

There are generations of Coloradoans not yet born, who may never know the name of Sam Maynes, but who will live better lives because of his tenacity. So congratulations to them, Sam, and happy birthday to you.